RINGMAT
SUPPORT SYSTEM
Awarded
hi-fi+
PRODUCT of the YEAR 2000,
the
RINGMAT SUPPORT SYSTEM continues in its present successful form.
With the addition of the new ANNIVERSARY RINGMAT,
LP BLUE and STATCAP
and the MkII version of the Ringcap all released since the Award, analogue reproduction
now reaches a totally new
level of performance.
Ringmat Support Systems are modular by design and
they all revolve around the use of a Ringmat, which is the anchor
component. Ringmat Support Systems are a more cost-effective way of
acquiring all the four modules, and come in a box (rather like a
boxed set of LPs) with a full set of instructions. Except where
Ringmat Spacers are eventually desired, the extra cost of acquiring
the modules individually is not very much more.
The four principal components are:
-
A Ringmat (there are four models – for more
information, click here)
-
An LP Statmat (there are two versions – for more
information, click here)
-
Ringmat Spacers (for more information, click
here)
-
A Ringcap (for more information, click
here)
All versions of the Support System include all four
modules, though for those users who already have a Ringmat it is
possible to buy a Support System without a Ringmat.
The Full Version includes a standard set of 8 Ringmat
Spacers (for more information, click
here) and there is a choice of
the Standard LP Statmat or the LP Blue Statmat and Statcap (for more
information, click here). It
comes with a full set of instructions
and, as a complimentary bonus, the booklet ‘How to Set Up and
Fine Tune a Turntable’ by John Rogers (for more information,
click here).
The MRA is a starter/economy version. The only
difference from the Full Version is that the MRA Version only has 1
Clear and 1 Slate Spacer instead of the standard set of 8 Spacers
(for more information, click here). Additional individual Spacers
can be purchased separately. Nor does the MRA version include the
booklet ‘How to Set Up and Fine Tune a Turntable’ by John Rogers.
Many
customers start with the Ringmat and add the other modules later.
For those customers starting with a Ringmat, we have written the
note ‘Beyond Ringmat’ (to read this, click
here).
Using the Ringmat
Support System - in pictures
Stage 1 -
Place the Ringmat Spacer Mat on the bare platter.
Stage
2 - Place Ringmat Spacers on the Spacer Mat in accordance with
the guidance contained in the Support System Instruction Book,
ensuring that the Spacers engage the "stud" on the outside edge of
the Spacer Mat.
Stage
3 - Place the LP Blue Statmat (or the standard LP Statmat) on
the Spacers.
Stage 4 -
Place the Ringmat over the spindle,
so that it rests over the earlier Support System components.
Stage
5 - Place the Statcap on the Ringmat as one of two optional
positions for the Statcap. Each LP has a good side and a not so
good side due to the natural polarity of the materials used for
stamping out LPs. In many cases, this is often the 'B' side, but it
could alternatively be the 'A' side with some records. You can only
reliably tell which is which by playing both sides (or just one side
once your ears have become attuned to the situation) and marking
which is which for future reference. Where the good side is to be
played, place the Statcap as shown here for Stage 5.
Stage
6 - Place the record to be played on the Ringmat and than place
the Ringcap over the spindle and let it rest on the record label.
Stage 7 -
When playing the less good side of
the LP (see Stage 5 above for explanation), place the Statcap on the
Ringcap.
At all Stages, align the
cut-outs in the materials the same way.
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Back to Decoupling Products -
